HARBOR BEACH, MI (WNEM) -
Instead of getting pain killers, patients were getting strong bones at the walk-in clinic for Harbor Beach Community Hospital.
That's where Kristina Boltiador admittedly stole the prescription drug Vicodin - which was meant for patients - and exchanged it for calcium tablets.
"We're really sorry that it happened. It's a tragedy for us because the nurse is a very trusted individual. And for something like this to happen, especially in a small community, but any hospital, it's really a significant issue," said Ed Gamache, President and CEO of Harbor Beach Community Hospital.
Boltiador was busted after the hospital launched an internal investigation. The facility was following up on complaints from patients. Once administrators questioned Boltiador she came clean.
"She was apologetic. She knew this was a problem. She knew it was a significant issue. She certainly knew that she had violated our trust and that she did something terribly wrong," Gamache said.
Gamache wants to reassure the community that they are a great place to serve the people's health care needs.
"This is not routine for us. This is very unusual. Kristina had a unique access to these medications, could switch them out without anyone knowing that. And that's something we've corrected so that can't happen again," Gamache said.
Meanwhile Boltiador took a deal and entered a guilty plea. She could see up to four years in prison, and fines when she's sentenced in April.
Copyright 2013 WNEM (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WSFA, a Raycom Media Station.
